Absorption and penetration of left-hand polarized waves related to polarization reversal causing electron cyclotron resonance

Propagation and absorption of electromagnetic waves with electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) frequency are investigated for the case of inhomogeneously magnetized plasmas, when the left-hand polarized wave (LHPW) is selectively launched. The LHPW with axisymmetric-azimuthal and second-order radial modes is absorbed near the ECR point at any radial position, which is caused by the polarization reversal to the right-hand polarized wave. On the other hand, it is clarified that the LHPW with fundamental radial mode penetrates the ECR point without polarization reversal. In addition, it is theoretically suggested that polarization reversal can partially occur in the plasma column for the case of nonaxisymmetric modes.